Yamaha NP-12 Review

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The Yamaha NP-12 is a 61-key digital piano that brings a great balance of performance and affordability. While it may not be ideal for advanced players looking to play classical music, there is plenty here to like for beginners and session musicians that need a reliable digital piano to use on the go.One thing to appreciate about the NP-12 is how unintimidating it appears for new players. Unlike many digital pianos, there are only 10 buttons found on the unit, which makes it so much easier to get used to playing.Straight-off the bat, this is something that makes the NP-12 a fine choice for beginners seeking a quality digital piano that isn’t too difficult to come to grips with. The interface is easy to learn, even for first-time players, and there’s no risk of getting overwhelmed by countless buttons, sliders, and knobs.With a 61-key keyboard, the NP-12 is probably best left to beginners, although experienced players seeking a reliable digital piano to use on the go will certainly appreciate what’s on offer. Weighing just 4.5kg, it’s one of the more impressive portable digital pianos available.But the 61-keys are a good bit fewer than a full range keyboard of 88-keys, so classical players probably want to stay clear.However, the smaller number of keys does make the NP-12 a much lighter, more compact piano. Again, if you’re looking for something to use on the go, whether jamming with friends, taking to school, or for sessions, the build of the NP-12 is certainly a plus.The keys themselves have a good feel to them. Although not full-weighted (which is to be expected given the price), the keys still feel quite realistic, albeit slightly lighter. They are made with touch sensitivity however, so there is more of a realistic feel compared to most other models in this range.A total of ten sounds gives the NP-12 plenty of versatility. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is the stereo grand piano. Created using a sample from an authentic Yamaha grand piano, the sound replication is fantastic, and certainly the most impressive available.Beyond this, you can create a range of different sounds. For instance, there are two great electric piano sounds available, including a vintage sound common in the 70s, along with a more classic 80s synth-like sound.Other available sounds include organs, strings, vibraphone, and harpsichords, so there is plenty to play around with. In fact, using the dual mode to layer two different sounds at once allows you to produce an even greater variety of sounds, all of which are clean, well replicated, and generally fun to play.Another fantastic feature is the inclusion of a metronome. It’s perfect for beginners that need some help keeping pace with the rhythm, also helping to better understand when you need to slow down or speed up.It can be set to varying speeds to accommodate different experience levels, while also giving more range to practices. The count rates can also be adjusted, meaning you can set it to count differently from the classic 4/4, including 3/4.A record function is also included for recording your performances, and you can opt to include the metronome if using it. It’s also possible to record and add an accompaniment over the original recording.This is great for analysing your performance levels, highlighting just how suitable the NP-12 is for beginners and novices looking to become more skilled. Speakers aren’t anything special but still offer good sound quality and volume, although the audio output means you can connect to external speakers.The Yamaha NP-12 is great digital piano for beginners and professionals alike. While the 61-key keyboard isn’t ideal for every advanced player, the 64-note polyphony produces wonderful sound replication that won’t disappoint.